Six people were charged with felony drug trafficking and possession on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 8. The sergeant of the Okeechobee County Police Department said that the six people who were taken into custody were not connected with the people who were arrested last week for cooking meth in an Okeechobee home. However, when asked about the increasing number of meth charges lately, the sergeant stated that the use of meth is on the rise because it has become easier to make. Now people are able to cook in almost an hour, but the price of it has remained the same, resulting in larger profits for the manufacturers.
Approximately 12.05 pounds of meth was seized after the long investigation. According to the police, the meth was in powder form and was going to be converted into the crystallized form of meth. It had an estimated street value of almost $258,000. The Okeechobee Narcotics Task Force, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration all assisted in the drug trafficking bust.
Some of the charges that the individuals are facing include conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, trafficking of methamphetamine, owning/renting a structure for purpose of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and other related charges. Other paraphernalia that a search of the property rendered included measuring cups, digital scales, two large cooking pots, a large plastic tub, a trash bag, three cans of acetone, a large fan and large metal screeners. Investigators say that the case could possibly be prosecuted at the federal level.
Criminal defense lawyers may assist people charged with manufacturing and distributing drugs. Lawyers may help the defendants strike up a deal with prosecutors for a lesser sentence and reduced charges in exchange for a guilty plea.
Source: Florida Newszap, “6 arrested in meth bust in Okeechobee”, Eric Kopp, October 11, 2013